Classroom Resources: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

1. What is the conservation dilemma at the heart of this article? What is the “devil” referred to in the article’s title?

2. Trace connections between Antarctic ice shelves, Everglades National Park, and the conservation of the Florida Panther.

3. Why is the Florida Everglades a particularly important case study? Can you think of other sites where the conflict between traditional approaches to conservation and restoration and newer ideas of “managed retreat” will be important to consider?

4. In your own words, explain why sea levels may rise higher in North America than in other parts of the world.

5. What are some of the specific different ways that the inherent uncertainty of science influences conservation planning and decision-making related to predictions of sea level rise?